Catheter system for valvuloplasty procedure

ABSTRACT

A catheter system (100) for treating one or more treatment sites (106) within or adjacent to the heart valve (108) includes an energy source (124), a plurality of energy guides (122A), and a balloon assembly (104). The energy source (124) generates energy. The plurality of energy guides (122A) are configured to receive energy from the energy source (124). The balloon assembly (104) includes a plurality of balloons (104A) that are each positionable substantially adjacent to one or more treatment site(s) (106). Each of the plurality of balloons (104A) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). Each of the plurality of balloons (104A) is configured to retain a balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). A portion of at least one of the plurality of energy guides (122A) that receive the energy from the energy source (124) is positioned within the balloon interior (146) of each of the plurality of balloons (104A) so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146).

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/124,685, filed on Dec. 11, 2020. To the extent permitted, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/124,685 are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Vascular lesions, such as calcium deposits, within and adjacent to heart valves in the body can be associated with an increased risk for major adverse events, such as myocardial infarction, embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, and the like. Severe vascular lesions, such as severely calcified vascular lesions, can be difficult to treat and achieve patency for a physician in a clinical setting.

The tricuspid valve, also known as the right atrioventricular valve, includes three leaflets which open and close in unison when the valve is functioning properly. The tricuspid valve functions as a one-way valve that opens during ventricular diastole, allowing blood to flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle, and closes during ventricular systole to prevent regurgitation of blood from the right ventricle back into the right atrium. The back flow of blood, also known as regression or tricuspid regurgitation, can result in increased ventricular preload because the blood refluxed back into the atrium is added to the volume of blood that must be pumped back into the ventricle during the next cycle of ventricular diastole. Increased right ventricular preload over a prolonged period of time may lead to right ventricular enlargement (dilatation), which can progress to right heart failure if left uncorrected.

A calcium deposit on the tricuspid valve, known as valvular stenosis, can form adjacent to a valve wall of the tricuspid valve and/or on or between the leaflets of the tricuspid valve. Valvular stenosis can prevent the leaflets from opening and closing completely, which can, in turn, result in the undesired tricuspid regurgitation. Over time, such calcium deposits can cause the leaflets to become less mobile and ultimately prevent the heart from supplying enough blood to the rest of the body.

Certain methods are currently available which attempt to address valvular stenosis, but such methods have not been altogether satisfactory. One such method includes using a standard balloon valvuloplasty catheter. Unfortunately, this type of catheter typically does not have enough strength to sufficiently disrupt the calcium deposit between the leaflets or at the base of the leaflets. Another such method includes artificial tricuspid valve replacement, which can be used to restore functionality of the tricuspid valve. However, this procedure is highly invasive and extremely expensive. In still another such method, a valvular stent can be placed between the leaflets to bypass the leaflets. This procedure is relatively costly, and results have found that the pressure gradient does not appreciably improve.

Thus, there is an ongoing desire to develop improved methodologies for valvuloplasty in order to more effectively and efficiently break up calcium deposits adjacent to the valve wall of the tricuspid valve and/or on or between the leaflets of the tricuspid valve. Additionally, it is desired that such improved methodologies work effectively to address not only valvular stenosis related to the tricuspid valve, but also calcification on other heart valves, such as mitral valve stenosis within the mitral valve, aorta valve stenosis within the aorta valve, and pulmonary valve stenosis of the pulmonary valve.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward a catheter system that can be used for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to the heart valve within a body of a patient. In various embodiments, the catheter system includes an energy source, a plurality of energy guides, and a balloon assembly. The energy source generates energy. The plurality of energy guides are configured to receive energy from the energy source. The balloon assembly includes a plurality of balloons that are each positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site(s). Each of the plurality of balloons has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior. Each of the plurality of balloons is configured to retain a balloon fluid within the balloon interior. A portion of at least one of the plurality of energy guides that receive the energy from the energy source is positioned within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloons so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.

In various implementations, the heart valve includes a valve wall, and at least one of the plurality of balloons is positioned adjacent to the valve wall. In another implementation, the heart valve includes a plurality of leaflets, and at least one of the plurality of balloons is positioned adjacent to at least one of the plurality of leaflets.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of balloons is selectively inflatable with the balloon fluid to expand to an inflated state. In such embodiments, when the balloon is in the inflated state the balloon wall is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the treatment site.

In certain embodiments, the catheter system further includes a plurality of plasma generators, with one plasma generator being positioned near a guide distal end of each of the plurality of energy guides. The plasma generator is configured to generate the plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloons.

In various embodiments, the guide distal end of at least one of the plurality of energy guides is positioned within the balloon interior of one of the plurality of balloons approximately at a midpoint of the heart valve.

In some embodiments, the plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation and imparts pressure waves upon the balloon wall of each of the balloons adjacent to the treatment site.

In certain embodiments, the energy source generates pulses of energy that are guided along each of the plurality of energy guides into the balloon interior of each balloon to induce the plasma formation in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior of each of the balloons.

In some embodiments, the energy source is a laser source that provides pulses of laser energy. In certain such embodiments, at least one of the plurality of energy guides includes an optical fiber.

In various embodiments, the energy source is a high voltage energy source that provides pulses of high voltage. In such embodiments, at least one of the plurality of energy guides can include an electrode pair including spaced apart electrodes that extend into the balloon interior; and wherein pulses of high voltage from the energy source are applied to the electrodes and form an electrical arc across the electrodes.

In certain embodiments, the catheter system further includes a catheter shaft. In such embodiments, a balloon proximal end of each of the plurality of balloons can be coupled to the catheter shaft. In some such embodiments, the catheter system further includes (i) a guide shaft that is positioned at least partially within the catheter shaft, the guide shaft defining a guidewire lumen, and (ii) a guidewire that is positioned to extend through the guidewire lumen, the guidewire being configured to guide movement of the balloon assembly so that each of the plurality of balloons is positioned substantially adjacent to the treatment site.

In various embodiments, the balloon assembly includes three balloons. In another embodiment, the balloon assembly includes two balloons.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of balloons is independently steerable to be positioned substantially adjacent to the treatment site.

In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of balloons is formed from a braided nitinol material.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the balloons includes a drug-eluting coating.

The present invention is further directed toward a catheter system for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient, the catheter system including an energy source that generates energy; a plurality of energy guides that are configured to receive energy from the energy source; and a balloon assembly including a multi-lobed balloon including a plurality of balloon lobes that are each positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site(s), the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior, the balloon being configured to retain a balloon fluid in the balloon interior within each of the plurality of balloon lobes; and wherein a portion of at least one of the plurality of energy guides that receive the energy from the energy source is positioned within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloon lobes so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.

Additionally, the present invention is also directed toward a method for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient, the method including the steps of (i) generating energy with an energy source; (ii) receiving energy from the energy source with a plurality of energy guides; (iii) positioning a plurality of balloons substantially adjacent to the treatment site(s), each of the plurality of balloons having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior, each of the plurality of balloons being configured to retain a balloon fluid within the balloon interior; and (iv) positioning at least one of the plurality of energy guides that receive the energy from the energy source within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloons so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.

Further, the present invention is also directed toward a method for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient, the method including the steps of (i) generating energy with an energy source; (ii) receiving energy from the energy source with a plurality of energy guides; (iii) positioning each of a plurality of balloon lobes of a multi-lobed balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site(s), the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior, the balloon being configured to retain a balloon fluid within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloon lobes; and (iv) positioning at least one of the plurality of energy guides that receive the energy from the energy source within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloon lobes so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior.

This summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and is not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Other aspects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, each of which is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope herein is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a catheter system in accordance with various embodiments herein, the catheter system including a valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a simplified side view of a portion of a heart valve and a portion of an embodiment of the catheter system including an embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly;

FIG. 2B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly taken on line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve and a portion of another embodiment of the catheter system including another embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly;

FIG. 3B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly taken on line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve and a portion of still another embodiment of the catheter system including still another embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly;

FIG. 4B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly taken on line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve and a portion of yet another embodiment of the catheter system including yet another embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly; and

FIG. 5B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly taken on line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A.

While embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and drawings, and are described in detail herein. It is understood, however, that the scope herein is not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope herein.

DESCRIPTION

Treatment of vascular lesions (also sometimes herein referred to as “treatment sites”) can reduce major adverse events or death in affected subjects. As referred to herein, a major adverse event is one that can occur anywhere within the body due to the presence of a vascular lesion. Major adverse events can include, but are not limited to, major adverse cardiac events, major adverse events in the peripheral or central vasculature, major adverse events in the brain, major adverse events in the musculature, or major adverse events in any of the internal organs.

The catheter systems and related methods disclosed herein are configured to incorporate improved methodologies for valvuloplasty in order to more effectively and efficiently break up any calcified vascular lesions that may have developed on and/or within the heart valves over time. More particularly, the catheter systems and related methods generally include a valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly (also sometimes referred to simply as a “balloon assembly”) that incorporates the use of a plurality of balloons and/or a single balloon with multiple lobes, which are moved so as to be positioned within and/or adjacent to the heart valve. Each of the balloons and/or the balloon lobes are then anchored in specific locations so that energy can be directed to the precise locations necessary at the heart valve, such as adjacent to the valve wall and/or on or between adjacent leaflets within the heart valve, in order to break up the calcified vascular lesions. While such methodologies are often described herein as being useful for treatment of valvular stenosis in relation to the tricuspid valve, it is appreciated that such methodologies are also useful in treatment of calcium deposits on other heart valves, such as for mitral valve stenosis within the mitral valve, for aorta valve stenosis within the aorta valve, and/or for pulmonary valve stenosis within the pulmonary valve.

In various embodiments, the catheter systems can include a catheter configured to advance to the vascular lesion located at the treatment site within or adjacent a heart valve within the body of the patient. The catheter includes a catheter shaft, and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly that is coupled and/or secured to the catheter shaft. Each balloon of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly can include a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior. Additionally, in embodiments where the balloon assembly includes a single balloon with multiple lobes, each lobe of the balloon can include a lobe wall (a portion of the balloon wall) that helps to define a lobe interior. Each balloon can be configured to receive a balloon fluid within the balloon interior and/or the lobe interior to expand from a deflated state suitable for advancing the balloon(s) through a patient's vasculature, to an inflated state suitable for anchoring the balloon(s) in position relative to the treatment site.

The catheter systems further utilize an energy source, e.g., a light source such as a laser source or another suitable energy source, which provides energy that is guided by energy guides, e.g., light guides, to create a localized plasma in the balloon fluid that is retained within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloons and/or within the lobe interior of each of the multiple lobes of the single balloon of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly. As such, the energy guides can sometimes be referred to as, or can be said to incorporate a “plasma generator” at or near a guide distal end of the energy guide that is positioned within the balloon interior and/or the lobe interior.

In particular, a portion of at least one energy guide, such as the guide distal end of the energy guide, can be positioned within each balloon and/or each lobe of the balloon assembly. Each energy guide can be configured for generating pressure waves within the balloon fluid for disrupting the vascular lesions. More specifically, each energy guide can be configured to guide energy from the energy source into the balloon interior and/or the lobe interior to generate the localized plasma, such as via the plasma generator, within the balloon fluid at or near the guide distal end of the energy guide disposed within the balloon interior of each of the balloons and/or the lobe interior of each balloon lobe located at the treatment site. The creation of the localized plasma can initiate the rapid formation of one or more bubbles that can rapidly expand to a maximum size and then dissipate through a cavitation event that can launch a pressure wave upon collapse. Thus, the rapid expansion of the plasma-induced bubbles (also sometimes referred to simply as “plasma bubbles”) can generate one or more pressure waves within the balloon fluid retained within the balloon interior of the balloon and/or the lobe interior of the balloon lobes and thereby impart such pressure waves onto and induce fractures in the vascular lesions at the treatment site within or adjacent to the heart valve within the body of the patient.

By selectively positioning the balloon assembly adjacent to the treatment site, the energy guides in each balloon and/or each balloon lobe can be applied to break up the calcified vascular lesions in a different precise location at the treatment site. In some embodiments, the energy source can be configured to provide sub-millisecond pulses of energy from the energy source to initiate the plasma formation in the balloon fluid within the balloons and/or balloon lobes to cause rapid bubble formation and to impart pressure waves upon the balloon wall at the treatment site. Thus, the pressure waves can transfer mechanical energy through an incompressible balloon fluid to the treatment site to impart a fracture force on the intravascular lesion. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the rapid change in balloon fluid momentum upon the balloon wall that is in contact with the intravascular lesion is transferred to the intravascular lesion to induce fractures to the lesion.

As described in detail herein, the catheter systems of the present invention include the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly that includes the plurality of balloons, e.g., two, three or greater individual balloons, and/or the single balloon having multiple lobes, two, three or greater individual lobes within the single balloon, that can be utilized to impart pressure onto and induce fractures in calcified vascular lesions adjacent to the valve wall and/or on or between adjacent leaflets within the tricuspid valve (or other heart valve), in order to break up the calcified vascular lesions. It is appreciated that in different embodiments, the number of balloons and/or the number of balloon lobes in the multi-lobed balloon is intended to match the number of leaflets in the heart valve in which the catheter system is being used. More specifically, in a heart valve that includes three leaflets, the balloon assembly will typically include three individual balloons or three balloon lobes in the single multi-lobed balloon; and in a heart valve that includes two leaflets, the balloon assembly will typically include two individual balloons or two balloon lobes within the single multi-lobed balloon. As used herein, the terms “treatment site”, “intravascular lesion” and “vascular lesion” can be used interchangeably unless otherwise noted.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the present invention is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Additionally, other methods of delivering energy to the lesion can be utilized, including, but not limited to electric current induced plasma generation. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same or similar nomenclature and/or reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It is appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application-related and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it is recognized that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The catheter systems disclosed herein can include many different forms. Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic cross-sectional view is shown of a catheter system 100 in accordance with various embodiments. The catheter system 100 is suitable for imparting pressure waves to induce fractures in one or more treatment sites within or adjacent leaflets within the tricuspid valve or other appropriate heart valve. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the catheter system 100 can include one or more of a catheter 102, an energy guide bundle 122 including one or more energy guides 122A, a source manifold 136, a fluid pump 138, a system console 123 including one or more of an energy source 124, a power source 125, a system controller 126, and a graphic user interface 127 (a “GUI”), and a handle assembly 128. Additionally, as described herein, the catheter 102 includes a valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 104 (also sometimes referred to herein simply as a “balloon assembly”) that is configured to be selectively positioned adjacent to a valve wall 108A (including annulus and commissures) and/or on or between adjacent leaflets 1088 within a heart valve 108 at a treatment site 106. Alternatively, the catheter system 100 can have more components or fewer components than those specifically illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1.

The catheter 102 is configured to move to the treatment site 106 within or adjacent to the heart valve 108 within a body 107 of a patient 109. The treatment site 106 can include one or more vascular lesions 106A such as calcified vascular lesions, for example. Additionally, or in the alternative, the treatment site 106 can include vascular lesions 106A such as fibrous vascular lesions.

The catheter 102 can include a catheter shaft 110, a guide shaft 118, the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 104, and a guidewire 112.

The catheter shaft 110 can extend from a proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100 to a distal portion 116 of the catheter system 100. The catheter shaft 110 can include a longitudinal axis 144. The guide shaft 118 can be positioned, at least in part, within the catheter shaft 110. The guide shaft 118 can define a guidewire lumen which is configured to move over the guidewire 112 and/or through which the guidewire 112 extends. The catheter shaft 110 can further include one or more inflation lumens (not shown) and/or various other lumens for various other purposes. For example, in one embodiment, the catheter shaft 110 includes a separate inflation lumen that is configured to provide a balloon fluid 132 for each balloon and/or each balloon lobe of the balloon assembly 104. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the catheter shaft 110 can include an inflation lumen that is configured to provide the balloon fluid 132 to more than one balloon and/or more than one balloon lobe of the balloon assembly 104. In some embodiments, the catheter 102 can have a distal end opening 120 and can accommodate and be tracked over the guidewire 112 as the catheter 102 is moved and positioned at or near the treatment site 106.

The balloon assembly 104 can be coupled to the catheter shaft 110. In some embodiments, the balloon assembly 104 includes a plurality of balloons 104A that can each be positioned adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or on or between adjacent leaflets 1088 within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106. In one such embodiment, the balloon assembly 104 includes three individual balloons 104A that are positioned substantially adjacent to one another. Alternatively, in another such embodiment, the balloon assembly 104 can only include two balloons 104A. Still alternatively, in other embodiments, the balloon assembly 104 can include only a single balloon that includes multiple balloon lobes, i.e., two balloon lobes or three balloon lobes, with each balloon lobe being positionable adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or on or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106.

Each balloon 104A of the balloon assembly 104 can include a balloon proximal end 104P and a balloon distal end 104D. In some embodiments, the balloon proximal end 104P of each balloon 104A can be coupled to the catheter shaft 110. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the balloon distal end 104D of each balloon 104A can be coupled to the guide shaft 118.

Each balloon 104A includes a balloon wall 130 that defines a balloon interior 146. Each balloon 104A can be selectively inflated with a balloon fluid 132 to expand from a deflated state suitable for advancing the catheter 102 through a patient's vasculature, to an inflated state (as shown in FIG. 1) suitable for anchoring the catheter 102 in position relative to the treatment site 106. Stated in another manner, when each balloon 104A is in the inflated state, the balloon wall 130 of each balloon 104A is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to a different specific area at the treatment site 106.

The balloons 104A suitable for use in the balloon assembly 104 within the catheter system 100 include those that can be passed through the vasculature of a patient when in the deflated state. In some embodiments, the balloons 104A are made from silicone. In other embodiments, the balloon 104A can be made from materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane, polymers such as PEBAX™ material, nylon, or any other suitable material. In still other embodiments, the balloons 104A can be provided in the form of braided nitinol balloons. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the balloons 104A are impermeable whether fully inflated or not, such that no apertures are intentionally formed into and/or through the balloon wall 130 to allow the balloon fluid 132 and/or any substances such as therapeutic agents to pass therethrough.

The balloons 104A can have any suitable diameter (in the inflated state). In various embodiments, the balloons 104A can have a diameter (in the inflated state) ranging from less than one millimeter (mm) up to 25 mm. In some embodiments, the balloons 104A can have a diameter (in the inflated state) ranging from at least 1.5 mm up to 14 mm. In some embodiments, the balloons 104A can have a diameter (in the inflated state) ranging from at least two mm up to five mm.

In some embodiments, the balloons 104A can have a length ranging from at least three mm to 300 mm. More particularly, in some embodiments, the balloons 104A can have a length ranging from at least eight mm to 200 mm. It is appreciated that a balloon 104 having a relatively longer length can be positioned adjacent to larger treatment sites 106, and, thus, may be usable for imparting pressure waves onto and inducing fractures in larger vascular lesions 106A or multiple vascular lesions 106A at precise locations within the treatment site 106. It is further appreciated that a longer balloon 104A can also be positioned adjacent to multiple treatment sites 106 at any one given time.

The balloons 104A can be inflated to inflation pressures of between approximately one atmosphere (atm) and 70 atm. In some embodiments, the balloons 104A can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least 20 atm to 60 atm. In other embodiments, the balloons 104A can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least six atm to 20 atm. In still other embodiments, the balloons 104A can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least three atm to 20 atm. In yet other embodiments, the balloons 104A can be inflated to inflation pressures of from at least two atm to ten atm.

The balloons 104A can have various shapes, including, but not to be limited to, a conical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a spherical shape, a conical/square shape, a conical/spherical shape, an extended spherical shape, an oval shape, a tapered shape, a bone shape, a stepped diameter shape, an offset shape, or a conical offset shape. Additionally, in certain embodiments, a single, multi-lobed balloon can be utilized. In some embodiments, the balloons 104A can include a drug eluting coating or a drug eluting stent structure. The drug eluting coating or drug eluting stent can include one or more therapeutic agents including anti-inflammatory agents, anti-neoplastic agents, anti-angiogenic agents, and the like.

The balloon fluid 132 can be a liquid or a gas. Some examples of the balloon fluid 132 suitable for use can include, but are not limited to one or more of water, saline, contrast medium, fluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, gases, such as carbon dioxide, or any other suitable balloon fluid 132. In some embodiments, the balloon fluid 132 can be used as a base inflation fluid. In some embodiments, the balloon fluid 132 can include a mixture of saline to contrast medium in a volume ratio of approximately 50:50. In other embodiments, the balloon fluid 132 can include a mixture of saline to contrast medium in a volume ratio of approximately 25:75. In still other embodiments, the balloon fluid 132 can include a mixture of saline to contrast medium in a volume ratio of approximately 75:25. However, it is understood that any suitable ratio of saline to contrast medium can be used. The balloon fluid 132 can be tailored on the basis of composition, viscosity, and the like so that the rate of travel of the pressure waves are appropriately manipulated. In certain embodiments, the balloon fluids 132 suitable for use are biocompatible. A volume of balloon fluid 132 can be tailored by the chosen energy source 124 and the type of balloon fluid 132 used.

In some embodiments, the contrast agents used in the contrast media can include, but are not to be limited to, iodine-based contrast agents, such as ionic or non-ionic iodine-based contrast agents. Some non-limiting examples of ionic iodine-based contrast agents include diatrizoate, metrizoate, iothalamate, and ioxaglate. Some non-limiting examples of non-ionic iodine-based contrast agents include iopamidol, iohexol, ioxilan, iopromide, iodixanol, and ioversol. In other embodiments, non-iodine-based contrast agents can be used. Suitable non-iodine containing contrast agents can include gadolinium (III)-based contrast agents. Suitable fluorocarbon and perfluorocarbon agents can include, but are not to be limited to, agents such as the perfluorocarbon dodecafluoropentane (DDFP, C5F12).

The balloon fluids 132 can include those that include absorptive agents that can selectively absorb light in the ultraviolet region (e.g., at least ten nanometers (nm) to 400 nm), the visible region (e.g., at least 400 nm to 780 nm), or the near-infrared region (e.g., at least 780 nm to 2.5 μm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Suitable absorptive agents can include those with absorption maxima along the spectrum from at least ten nm to 2.5 μm. Alternatively, the balloon fluids 132 can include those that include absorptive agents that can selectively absorb light in the mid-infrared region (e.g., at least 2.5 μm to 15 μm), or the far-infrared region (e.g., at least 15 μm to one mm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. In various embodiments, the absorptive agent can be those that have an absorption maximum matched with the emission maximum of the laser used in the catheter system 100. By way of non-limiting examples, various lasers usable in the catheter system 100 can include neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG−emission maximum=1064 nm) lasers, holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG−emission maximum=2.1 μm) lasers, or erbium:YAG (Er:YAG−emission maximum=2.94 μm) lasers. In some embodiments, the absorptive agents can be water soluble. In other embodiments, the absorptive agents are not water soluble. In some embodiments, the absorptive agents used in the balloon fluids 132 can be tailored to match the peak emission of the energy source 124. Various energy sources 124 having emission wavelengths of at least ten nanometers to one millimeter are discussed elsewhere herein.

The catheter shaft 110 of the catheter 102 can be coupled to the one or more energy guides 122A of the energy guide bundle 122 that are in optical communication with the energy source 124. Each energy guide(s) 122A can be disposed along the catheter shaft 110 and within one of the balloons 104A or balloon lobes of the balloon assembly 104. In some embodiments, each energy guide 122A can be an optical fiber and the energy source 124 can be a laser. The energy source 124 can be in optical communication with the energy guides 122A at the proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100.

In some embodiments, the catheter shaft 110 can be coupled to multiple energy guides 122A such as a first energy guide, a second energy guide, a third energy guide, etc., which can be disposed at any suitable positions about the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110. For example, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, two energy guides 122A can be spaced apart by approximately 180 degrees about the circumference of the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110; three energy guides 122A can be spaced apart by approximately 120 degrees about the circumference of the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110; or four energy guides 122A can be spaced apart by approximately 90 degrees about the circumference of the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110. Still alternatively, multiple energy guides 122A need not be uniformly spaced apart from one another about the circumference of the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110. More particularly, it is further appreciated that the energy guides 122A can be disposed uniformly or non-uniformly about the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110 to achieve the desired effect in the desired locations.

The catheter system 100 and/or the energy guide bundle 122 can include any number of energy guides 122A in optical communication with the energy source 124 at the proximal portion 114, and with the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of the balloons 104A at the distal portion 116. For example, in some embodiments, the catheter system 100 and/or the energy guide bundle 122 can include from one energy guide 122A to greater than 30 energy guides 122A.

The energy guides 122A can have any suitable design for purposes of generating plasma and/or pressure waves in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of each balloon 104A. Thus, the general description of the energy guides 122A as light guides is not intended to be limiting in any manner, except for as set forth in the claims appended hereto. More particularly, although the catheter systems 100 are often described with the energy source 124 as a light source and the one or more energy guides 122A as light guides, the catheter system 100 can alternatively include any suitable energy source 124 and energy guides 122A for purposes of generating the desired plasma in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of each balloon 104A and/or each balloon lobe. For example, in one non-exclusive alternative embodiment, the energy source 124 can be configured to provide high voltage pulses, and each energy guide 122A can include an electrode pair including spaced apart electrodes that extend into the balloon interior 146. In such embodiment, each pulse of high voltage is applied to the electrodes and forms an electrical arc across the electrodes, which, in turn, generates the plasma and forms the pressure waves within the balloon fluid 132 that are utilized to provide the fracture force onto the vascular lesions 106A at the treatment site 106. Still alternatively, the energy source 124 and/or the energy guides 122A can have another suitable design and/or configuration.

In certain embodiments, the energy guides 122A can include an optical fiber or flexible light pipe. The energy guides 122A can be thin and flexible and can allow light signals to be sent with very little loss of strength. The energy guides 122A can include a core surrounded by a cladding about its circumference. In some embodiments, the core can be a cylindrical core or a partially cylindrical core. The core and cladding of the energy guides 122A can be formed from one or more materials, including but not limited to one or more types of glass, silica, or one or more polymers. The energy guides 122A may also include a protective coating, such as a polymer. It is appreciated that the index of refraction of the core will be greater than the index of refraction of the cladding.

Each energy guide 122A can guide energy along its length from a guide proximal end 122P to the guide distal end 122D having at least one optical window (not shown) that is positioned within the balloon interior 146. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the guide distal end 122D of each energy guide 122A can be positioned within the balloon interior 146 so as to be positioned approximately at a midpoint of the heart valve 108. With such design, upon expansion of the balloons 104A to the inflated state, the pressure waves generated within the balloon fluid 132 can put pressure on any desired portion of the heart valve 108, e.g., the valve wall 108A, the commissures, the annulus and/or the leaflets 1088. Alternatively, the energy guides 122A can have another suitable design and/or the energy from the energy source 124 can be guided into the balloon interior 146 by another suitable method.

The energy guides 122A can assume many configurations about and/or relative to the catheter shaft 110 of the catheter 102. In some embodiments, the energy guides 122A can run parallel to the longitudinal axis 144 of the catheter shaft 110. In some embodiments, the energy guides 122A can be physically coupled to the catheter shaft 110. In other embodiments, the energy guides 122A can be disposed along a length of an outer diameter of the catheter shaft 110. In yet other embodiments, the energy guides 122A can be disposed within one or more energy guide lumens within the catheter shaft 110.

The energy guides 122A can also be disposed at any suitable positions about the circumference of the guide shaft 118 and/or the catheter shaft 110, and the guide distal end 122D of each of the energy guides 122A can be disposed at any suitable longitudinal position relative to the length of the balloons 104A and/or relative to the length of the guide shaft 118.

In certain embodiments, the energy guides 122A can include one or more photoacoustic transducers 154, where each photoacoustic transducer 154 can be in optical communication with the energy guide 122A within which it is disposed. In some embodiments, the photoacoustic transducers 154 can be in optical communication with the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A. Additionally, in such embodiments, the photoacoustic transducers 154 can have a shape that corresponds with and/or conforms to the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A.

The photoacoustic transducer 154 is configured to convert light energy into an acoustic wave at or near the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A. The direction of the acoustic wave can be tailored by changing an angle of the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A.

In certain embodiments, the photoacoustic transducers 154 disposed at the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A can assume the same shape as the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A. For example, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, the photoacoustic transducer 154 and/or the guide distal end 122D can have a conical shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, a bulbous shape, a square shape, a stepped shape, a half-circle shape, an ovoid shape, and the like. The energy guide 122A can further include additional photoacoustic transducers 154 disposed along one or more side surfaces of the length of the energy guide 122A.

In some embodiments, the energy guides 122A can further include one or more diverting features or “diverters” (not shown in FIG. 1) within the energy guide 122A that are configured to direct energy to exit the energy guide 122A toward a side surface which can be located at or near the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A, and toward the balloon wall 130. A diverting feature can include any feature of the system that diverts energy from the energy guide 122A away from its axial path toward a side surface of the energy guide 122A. Additionally, the energy guides 122A can each include one or more optical windows disposed along the longitudinal or circumferential surfaces of each energy guide 122A and in optical communication with a diverting feature. Stated in another manner, the diverting features can be configured to direct energy in the energy guide 122A toward a side surface that is at or near the guide distal end 122D, where the side surface is in optical communication with an optical window. The optical windows can include a portion of the energy guide 122A that allows energy to exit the energy guide 122A from within the energy guide 122A, such as a portion of the energy guide 122A lacking a cladding material on or about the energy guide 122A.

Examples of the diverting features suitable for use include a reflecting element, a refracting element, and a fiber diffuser. The diverting features suitable for focusing energy away from the tip of the energy guides 122A can include, but are not to be limited to, those having a convex surface, a gradient-index (GRIN) lens, and a mirror focus lens. Upon contact with the diverting feature, the energy is diverted within the energy guide 122A to one or more of a plasma generator 133 and the photoacoustic transducer 154 that is in optical communication with a side surface of the energy guide 122A. The photoacoustic transducer 154 then converts light energy into an acoustic wave that extends away from the side surface of the energy guide 122A.

The source manifold 136 can be positioned at or near the proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100. The source manifold 136 can include one or more proximal end openings that can receive the one or more energy guides 122A of the energy guide bundle 122, the guidewire 112, and/or an inflation conduit 140 that is coupled in fluid communication with the fluid pump 138. The catheter system 100 can also include the fluid pump 138 that is configured to inflate each balloon 104A of the balloon assembly 104 with the balloon fluid 132, i.e. via the inflation conduit 140, as needed.

As noted above, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the system console 123 includes one or more of the energy source 124, the power source 125, the system controller 126, and the GUI 127. Alternatively, the system console 123 can include more components or fewer components than those specifically illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, in certain non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the system console 123 can be designed without the GUI 127. Still alternatively, one or more of the energy source 124, the power source 125, the system controller 126, and the GUI 127 can be provided within the catheter system 100 without the specific need for the system console 123.

As shown, the system console 123, and the components included therewith, is operatively coupled to the catheter 102, the energy guide bundle 122, and the remainder of the catheter system 100. For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the system console 123 can include a console connection aperture 148 (also sometimes referred to generally as a “socket”) by which the energy guide bundle 122 is mechanically coupled to the system console 123. In such embodiments, the energy guide bundle 122 can include a guide coupling housing 150 (also sometimes referred to generally as a “ferrule”) that houses a portion, e.g., the guide proximal end 122P, of each of the energy guides 122A. The guide coupling housing 150 is configured to fit and be selectively retained within the console connection aperture 148 to provide the mechanical coupling between the energy guide bundle 122 and the system console 123.

The energy guide bundle 122 can also include a guide bundler 152 (or “shell”) that brings each of the individual energy guides 122A closer together so that the energy guides 122A and/or the energy guide bundle 122 can be in a more compact form as it extends with the catheter 102 into the heart valve 108 during use of the catheter system 100.

The energy source 124 can be selectively and/or alternatively coupled in optical communication with each of the energy guides 122A, i.e. to the guide proximal end 122P of each of the energy guides 122A, in the energy guide bundle 122. In particular, the energy source 124 is configured to generate energy in the form of a source beam 124A, such as a pulsed source beam, that can be selectively and/or alternatively directed to and received by each of the energy guides 122A in the energy guide bundle 122 as an individual guide beam 124B. Alternatively, the catheter system 100 can include more than one energy source 124. For example, in one non-exclusive alternative embodiment, the catheter system 100 can include a separate energy source 124 for each of the energy guides 122A in the energy guide bundle 122.

The energy source 124 can have any suitable design. In certain embodiments, the energy source 124 can be configured to provide sub-millisecond pulses of energy from the energy source 124 that are focused onto a small spot in order to couple it into the guide proximal end 122P of the energy guide 122A. Such pulses of energy are then directed and/or guided along the energy guides 122A to a location within the balloon interior 146 of each balloon 104A and/or balloon lobe, thereby inducing plasma formation in the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of each balloon 104A and/or balloon lobe, e.g., via the plasma generator 133 that can be located at or near the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A. In particular, the energy emitted at the guide distal end 122D of the energy guide 122A energizes the plasma generator 133 to form the plasma within the balloon fluid 132 within the balloon interior 146 of each balloon 104A and/or balloon lobe. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves upon the treatment site 106. An exemplary plasma-induced bubble 134 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

In various non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the sub-millisecond pulses of energy from the energy source 124 can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency of between approximately one hertz (Hz) and 5000 Hz, approximately 30 Hz and 1000 Hz, approximately ten Hz and 100 Hz, or approximately one Hz and 30 Hz. Alternatively, the sub-millisecond pulses of energy can be delivered to the treatment site 106 at a frequency that can be greater than 5000 Hz or less than one Hz, or any other suitable range of frequencies.

It is appreciated that although the energy source 124 is typically utilized to provide pulses of energy, the energy source 124 can still be described as providing a single source beam 124A, i.e. a single pulsed source beam.

The energy sources 124 suitable for use can include various types of light sources including lasers and lamps. Alternatively, the energy sources 124 can include any suitable type of energy source.

Suitable lasers can include short pulse lasers on the sub-millisecond timescale. In some embodiments, the energy source 124 can include lasers on the nanosecond (ns) timescale. The lasers can also include short pulse lasers on the picosecond (ps), femtosecond (fs), and microsecond (us) timescales. It is appreciated that there are many combinations of laser wavelengths, pulse widths and energy levels that can be employed to achieve plasma in the balloon fluid 132 of the catheter 102. In various non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the pulse widths can include those falling within a range including from at least ten ns to 3000 ns, at least 20 ns to 100 ns, or at least one ns to 500 ns. Alternatively, any other suitable pulse width range can be used.

Exemplary nanosecond lasers can include those within the UV to IR spectrum, spanning wavelengths of about ten nanometers (nm) to one millimeter (mm). In some embodiments, the energy sources 124 suitable for use in the catheter systems 100 can include those capable of producing light at wavelengths of from at least 750 nm to 2000 nm. In other embodiments, the energy sources 124 can include those capable of producing light at wavelengths of from at least 700 nm to 3000 nm. In still other embodiments, the energy sources 124 can include those capable of producing light at wavelengths of from at least 100 nm to ten micrometers (μm). Nanosecond lasers can include those having repetition rates of up to 200 kHz.

In some embodiments, the laser can include a Q-switched thulium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Tm:YAG) laser. In other embodiments, the laser can include a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser, erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser, excimer laser, helium-neon laser, carbon dioxide laser, as well as doped, pulsed, fiber lasers.

The catheter system 100 can generate pressure waves having maximum pressures in the range of at least one megapascal (MPa) to 100 MPa. The maximum pressure generated by a particular catheter system 100 will depend on the energy source 124, the absorbing material, the bubble expansion, the propagation medium, the balloon material, and other factors. In various non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the catheter systems 100 can generate pressure waves having maximum pressures in the range of at least approximately two MPa to 50 MPa, at least approximately two MPa to 30 MPa, or approximately at least 15 MPa to 25 MPa.

The pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a distance within a range from at least approximately 0.1 millimeters (mm) to greater than approximately 25 mm extending radially from the energy guides 122A when the catheter 102 is placed at the treatment site 106. In various non-exclusive alternative embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a distance within a range from at least approximately ten mm to 20 mm, at least approximately one mm to ten mm, at least approximately 1.5 mm to four mm, or at least approximately 0.1 mm to ten mm extending radially from the energy guides 122A when the catheter 102 is placed at the treatment site 106. In other embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from another suitable distance that is different than the foregoing ranges. In some embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 within a range of at least approximately two MPa to 30 MPa at a distance from at least approximately 0.1 mm to ten mm. In some embodiments, the pressure waves can be imparted upon the treatment site 106 from a range of at least approximately two MPa to 25 MPa at a distance from at least approximately 0.1 mm to ten mm. Still alternatively, other suitable pressure ranges and distances can be used.

The power source 125 is electrically coupled to and is configured to provide necessary power to each of the energy source 124, the system controller 126, the GUI 127, and the handle assembly 128. The power source 125 can have any suitable design for such purposes.

The system controller 126 is electrically coupled to and receives power from the power source 125. Additionally, the system controller 126 is coupled to and is configured to control operation of each of the energy source 124 and the GUI 127. The system controller 126 can include one or more processors or circuits for purposes of controlling the operation of at least the energy source 124 and the GUI 127. For example, the system controller 126 can control the energy source 124 for generating pulses of energy as desired and/or at any desired firing rate. Additionally, the system controller 126 can operate to effectively and efficiently provide the desired fracture forces adjacent to and/or on or between adjacent leaflets 1088 within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106.

The system controller 126 can also be configured to control operation of other components of the catheter system 100 such as the positioning of the catheter 102 adjacent to the treatment site 106, the inflation of each balloon 104A with the balloon fluid 132, etc. Further, or in the alternative, the catheter system 100 can include one or more additional controllers that can be positioned in any suitable manner for purposes of controlling the various operations of the catheter system 100. For example, in certain embodiments, an additional controller and/or a portion of the system controller 126 can be positioned and/or incorporated within the handle assembly 128.

The GUI 127 is accessible by the user or operator of the catheter system 100. Additionally, the GUI 127 is electrically connected to the system controller 126. With such design, the GUI 127 can be used by the user or operator to ensure that the catheter system 100 is effectively utilized to impart pressure onto and induce fractures into the vascular lesions 106A at the treatment site 106. The GUI 127 can provide the user or operator with information that can be used before, during and after use of the catheter system 100. In one embodiment, the GUI 127 can provide static visual data and/or information to the user or operator. In addition, or in the alternative, the GUI 127 can provide dynamic visual data and/or information to the user or operator, such as video data or any other data that changes over time during use of the catheter system 100. In various embodiments, the GUI 127 can include one or more colors, different sizes, varying brightness, etc., that may act as alerts to the user or operator. Additionally, or in the alternative, the GUI 127 can provide audio data or information to the user or operator. The specifics of the GUI 127 can vary depending upon the design requirements of the catheter system 100, or the specific needs, specifications and/or desires of the user or operator.

As shown in FIG. 1, the handle assembly 128 can be positioned at or near the proximal portion 114 of the catheter system 100, and/or near the source manifold 136. In this embodiment, the handle assembly 128 is coupled to the balloon assembly 104 and is positioned spaced apart from the balloon assembly 104. Alternatively, the handle assembly 128 can be positioned at another suitable location.

The handle assembly 128 is handled and used by the user or operator to operate, position and control the catheter 102. The design and specific features of the handle assembly 128 can vary to suit the design requirements of the catheter system 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the handle assembly 128 is separate from, but in electrical and/or fluid communication with one or more of the system controller 126, the energy source 124, the fluid pump 138, and the GUI 127. In some embodiments, the handle assembly 128 can integrate and/or include at least a portion of the system controller 126 within an interior of the handle assembly 128. For example, as shown, in certain such embodiments, the handle assembly 128 can include circuitry 156 that can form at least a portion of the system controller 126. In one embodiment, the circuitry 156 can include a printed circuit board having one or more integrated circuits, or any other suitable circuitry. In an alternative embodiment, the circuitry 156 can be omitted, or can be included within the system controller 126, which in various embodiments can be positioned outside of the handle assembly 128, e.g., within the system console 123. It is understood that the handle assembly 128 can include fewer or additional components than those specifically illustrated and described herein.

Descriptions of various embodiments and implementations of the balloon assembly 104, and usages thereof, are described in detail herein below, such as shown in FIGS. 2A-5B. However, it is further appreciated that alternative embodiments and implementations may also be employed that would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art based on the teachings provided herein. Thus, the scope of the present embodiments and implementations is not intended to be limited to just those specifically described herein, except as recited in the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 2A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and a portion of an embodiment of the catheter system 200 including an embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 204. The balloon assembly 204 is again configured to be selectively positioned adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108 at a treatment site 106 including vascular lesions 106A within the body 107 and the patient 109.

Similar to the previous embodiments, the catheter system 200 includes a catheter 202 including a catheter shaft 210, a guide shaft 218, and a guidewire 212, such as described above, and the balloon assembly 204. Additionally, the catheter system 200 will typically include various other components such as illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1. However, such additional components are not shown in FIG. 2A for purposes of clarity.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the balloon assembly 204 includes three individual balloons, i.e. a first balloon 204A, a second balloon 204B, and a third balloon 204C, that can each be positioned adjacent to the treatment site 106 to break up the vascular lesions 106A at different precise locations within the treatment site 106. Each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C can include a balloon proximal end 204P and a balloon distal end 204D. As illustrated, in certain implementations, the balloon proximal end 204P of each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C can be coupled to the catheter shaft 210, and the balloon distal end 204D of each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C can be coupled to the guide shaft 218.

FIG. 2B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 204 taken on line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A. As shown, each of the three balloons 204A, 204B, 204C of the balloon assembly 204 can be positioned at different specific locations within the heart valve 108, i.e. adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108. Each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C is also illustrated as being positioned substantially adjacent to the guide shaft 218, which provides the conduit through which the guidewire 212 extends, in this non-exclusive implementation. In some embodiments, the balloon assembly 204 can further include one or more steerable shafts (not shown), e.g., one steerable shaft for each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C, that are usable to assist in manipulating each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C into the desired locations within the heart valve 108. With such design, each of the balloons 204A, 204B, 204C can be independently steerable to be positioned at the desired locations within the heart valve 108. Further, in certain embodiments, the catheter 202 and/or the balloon assembly 204 can also incorporate the use of an imaging channel (not shown) that is configured to enable real-time imaging of the treatment site 106 (illustrated in FIG. 2A) during positioning of the balloon assembly 204 as well as while the treatment therapy is applied.

Additionally, each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C can include a balloon wall 230 that defines a balloon interior 246, and that is configured to receive the balloon fluid 232 (illustrated in FIG. 2A) within the balloon interior 246. Each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C can thus be selectively inflated with the balloon fluid 232 to expand from the deflated state to the inflated state (as shown in FIG. 2B).

Also illustrated in FIG. 2B is a plurality of energy guides 222A. A portion of each energy guide 222A, i.e. the guide distal end 222D, can be positioned in the balloon fluid 232 within the balloon interior 246 of one of the balloons 204A, 204B, 204C such that each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C includes the guide distal end 222D of at least one energy guide 222A. More particularly, in this embodiment, the catheter system 200 includes three energy guides 222A, with the guide distal end 222D of each of the three energy guides 222A positioned in the balloon fluid 232 within the balloon interior 246 of a different balloon 204A, 204B, 204C. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the guide distal end 222D of the three energy guides 222A can be substantially uniformly spaced apart from one another by approximately 120 degrees about the guide shaft 218. Alternatively, the catheter system 200 can include greater than three energy guides 222A provided that the guide distal end 222D of at least one energy guide 222A is positioned within each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C.

The energy guides 222A are configured to guide energy from the energy source 124 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to induce plasma formation in the balloon fluid 232 within the balloon interior 246 of each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C, e.g., via a plasma generator 233 located at or near the guide distal end 222D of the respective energy guide 222A. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves and/or fracture forces upon the treatment site 106. Such pressure waves and/or fracture forces are utilized to break apart the vascular lesions 106A (illustrated in FIG. 2A) at specific precise locations within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106. More particularly, by selectively positioning the balloon assembly 204 adjacent to the treatment site 106, the energy guides 222A in each balloon 204A, 204B, 204C can be applied to break up the calcified vascular lesions 106A in a different precise location at the treatment site 106.

As shown in FIG. 2B, it is appreciated that by using three individual balloons 204A, 204B, 204C to impart pressure waves and/or fracture forces at specific locations within the heart valve 108, there is ample spacing 260 available between the contours of the balloons 204A, 204B, 204C and within the heart valve 108 to enable continued blood flow while the treatment therapy is being applied.

FIG. 3A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and a portion of another embodiment of the catheter system 300 including another embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 304. In this embodiment, the balloon assembly 304 is again configured to be selectively positioned adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108 at a treatment site 106 including vascular lesions 106A within the body 107 and the patient 109.

Similar to the previous embodiments, the catheter system 300 again includes a catheter 302 including a catheter shaft 310, a guide shaft 318, and a guidewire 312, such as described above, and the balloon assembly 304. Additionally, the catheter system 300 will again typically include various other components such as illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1. However, such additional components are not shown in FIG. 3A for purposes of clarity.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A (and more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3B), the balloon assembly 304 includes a single balloon 304A having a multi-lobed configuration. More specifically, in this embodiment, the balloon 304A is shaped to include three individual balloon lobes, i.e., a first balloon lobe 304L1, a second balloon lobe 304L2, and a third balloon lobe 304L3. Each of the balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 can be positioned adjacent to the treatment site 106 to break up the vascular lesions 106A at different precise locations within the treatment site 106. Additionally, the balloon 304A can include a balloon proximal end 304P and a balloon distal end 304D. As illustrated, in certain implementations, the balloon proximal end 304P can be coupled to the catheter shaft 310, and the balloon distal end 304D can be coupled to the guide shaft 318.

FIG. 3B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 304 taken on line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A. As shown, each of the three balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 of the balloon 304A can be positioned at different specific locations within the heart valve 108, i.e. adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108. The balloon 304A is also illustrated as being positioned substantially adjacent to and substantially encircling the guide shaft 318, which provides the conduit through which the guidewire 312 extends, in this non-exclusive implementation. In some embodiments, the balloon assembly 304 can further include one or more steerable shafts (not shown) that are usable to assist in manipulating the balloon 304A and/or each of the balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 into the desired locations within the heart valve 108. Further, in certain embodiments, the catheter 302 and/or the balloon assembly 304 can also incorporate the use of an imaging channel (not shown) that is configured to enable real-time imaging of the treatment site 106 (illustrated in FIG. 3A) during positioning of the balloon assembly 304 as well as while the treatment therapy is applied.

Additionally, the balloon 304A can include a balloon wall 330 that defines a balloon interior 346, and that is configured to receive the balloon fluid 332 (illustrated in FIG. 3A) within the balloon interior 346. It is appreciated that with the balloon 304A including the multi-lobed design having a single balloon interior 346, each of the balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 will receive the balloon fluid 332 substantially contemporaneously. The balloon 304A, and, thus, each of the balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3, can thus be selectively inflated with the balloon fluid 332 to expand from the deflated state to the inflated state (as shown in FIG. 3B).

Also illustrated in FIG. 3B is a plurality of energy guides 322A. A portion of each energy guide 322A, i.e., the guide distal end 322D, can be positioned in the balloon fluid 332 within the balloon interior 346 of one of the balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 such that each balloon lobe 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 includes the guide distal end 322D of at least one energy guide 322A. More particularly, in this embodiment, the catheter system 300 includes three energy guides 322A, with the guide distal end 322D of each of the three energy guides 322A positioned in the balloon fluid 332 within the balloon interior 346 of a different balloon lobe 304L1, 304L2, 304L3. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the guide distal end 322D of the three energy guides 322A can be substantially uniformly spaced apart from one another by approximately 120 degrees about the guide shaft 318. Alternatively, the catheter system 300 can include greater than three energy guides 322A provided that the guide distal end 322D of at least one energy guide 322A is positioned within each balloon lobe 304L1, 304L2, 304L3.

The energy guides 322A are configured to guide energy from the energy source 124 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to induce plasma formation in the balloon fluid 332 within the balloon interior 346 of each balloon lobe 304L1, 304L2, 304L3, e.g., via a plasma generator 333 located at or near the guide distal end 322D of the respective energy guide 322A. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves and/or fracture forces upon the treatment site 106. Such pressure waves and/or fracture forces are utilized to break apart the vascular lesions 106A (illustrated in FIG. 3A) at specific precise locations within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106. More particularly, by selectively positioning the balloon assembly 304 adjacent to the treatment site 106, the energy guides 322A in each balloon lobe 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 can be applied to break up the calcified vascular lesions 106A in a different precise location at the treatment site 106.

As shown in FIG. 3B, it is appreciated that by using a balloon 304A including three individual balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 to impart pressure waves and/or fracture forces at specific locations within the heart valve 108, there is ample spacing 360 available between the contours of the balloon lobes 304L1, 304L2, 304L3 and within the heart valve 108 to enable continued blood flow while the treatment therapy is being applied.

FIG. 4A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and a portion of still another embodiment of the catheter system 400 including still another embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 404. The balloon assembly 404 is again configured to be selectively positioned adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108 at a treatment site 106 including vascular lesions 106A within the body 107 and the patient 109.

Similar to the previous embodiments, the catheter system 400 again includes a catheter 402 including a catheter shaft 410, a guide shaft 418, and a guidewire 412, such as described above, and the balloon assembly 404. Additionally, the catheter system 400 will typically include various other components such as illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1. However, such additional components are not shown in FIG. 4A for purposes of clarity.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the balloon assembly 404 includes two individual balloons, i.e. a first balloon 404A, and a second balloon 404B, that can each be positioned adjacent to the treatment site 106 to break up the vascular lesions 106A at different precise locations within the treatment site 106. Each balloon 404A, 404B can include a balloon proximal end 404P and a balloon distal end 404D. As illustrated, in certain implementations, the balloon proximal end 404P of each balloon 404A, 404B can be coupled to the catheter shaft 410, and the balloon distal end 404D of each balloon 404A, 404B can be coupled to the guide shaft 418.

FIG. 4B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 404 taken on line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A. As shown, each of the two balloons 404A, 404B of the balloon assembly 404 can be positioned at different specific locations within the heart valve 108, i.e., adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108. Each balloon 404A, 404B is also illustrated as being positioned substantially adjacent to the guide shaft 418, which provides the conduit through which the guidewire 412 extends, in this non-exclusive implementation. In some embodiments, the balloon assembly 404 can further include one or more steerable shafts (not shown), e.g., one steerable shaft for each balloon 404A, 404B, that are usable to assist in manipulating each balloon 404A, 404B into the desired locations within the heart valve 108. Further, in certain embodiments, the catheter 402 and/or the balloon assembly 404 can also incorporate the use of an imaging channel (not shown) that is configured to enable real-time imaging of the treatment site 106 (illustrated in FIG. 4A) during positioning of the balloon assembly 404 as well as while the treatment therapy is applied.

Additionally, each balloon 404A, 404B can include a balloon wall 430 that defines a balloon interior 446, and that is configured to receive the balloon fluid 432 (illustrated in FIG. 4A) within the balloon interior 446. Each balloon 404A, 404B can thus be selectively inflated with the balloon fluid 432 to expand from the deflated state to the inflated state (as shown in FIG. 4B).

Also illustrated in FIG. 4B is a plurality of energy guides 422A. A portion of each energy guide 422A, i.e. the guide distal end 422D, can be positioned in the balloon fluid 432 within the balloon interior 446 of one of the balloons 404A, 404B such that each balloon 404A, 404B includes the guide distal end 422D of at least one energy guide 422A. More particularly, in this embodiment, the catheter system 400 includes two energy guides 422A, with the guide distal end 422D of each of the two energy guides 422A positioned in the balloon fluid 432 within the balloon interior 446 of a different balloon 404A, 404B. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the guide distal end 422D of the two energy guides 422A can be substantially uniformly spaced apart from one another by approximately 180 degrees about the guide shaft 418. Alternatively, the catheter system 400 can include greater than two energy guides 422A provided that the guide distal end 422D of at least one energy guide 422A is positioned within each balloon 404A, 404B.

The energy guides 422A are configured to guide energy from the energy source 124 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to induce plasma formation in the balloon fluid 432 within the balloon interior 446 of each balloon 404A, 404B, e.g., via a plasma generator 433 located at or near the guide distal end 422D of the respective energy guide 422A. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves and/or fracture forces upon the treatment site 106. Such pressure waves and/or fracture forces are utilized to break apart the vascular lesions 106A (illustrated in FIG. 4A) at specific precise locations within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106. More particularly, by selectively positioning the balloon assembly 404 adjacent to the treatment site 106, the energy guides 422A in each balloon 404A, 404B can be applied to break up the calcified vascular lesions 106A in a different precise location at the treatment site 106.

As shown in FIG. 4B, it is appreciated that by using two individual balloons 404A, 404B to impart pressure waves and/or fracture forces at specific locations within the heart valve 108, there is ample spacing 460 available between the contours of the balloons 404A, 404B and within the heart valve 108 to enable continued blood flow while the treatment therapy is being applied.

FIG. 5A is a simplified side view of a portion of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and a portion of yet another embodiment of the catheter system 500 including yet another embodiment of the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 504. In this embodiment, the balloon assembly 504 is again configured to be selectively positioned adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108 at a treatment site 106 including vascular lesions 106A within the body 107 and the patient 109.

Similar to the previous embodiments, the catheter system 500 again includes a catheter 502 including a catheter shaft 510, a guide shaft 518, and a guidewire 512, such as described above, and the balloon assembly 504. Additionally, the catheter system 500 will again typically include various other components such as illustrated and described in relation to FIG. 1. However, such additional components are not shown in FIG. 5A for purposes of clarity.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A (and more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5B), the balloon assembly 504 includes a single balloon 504A having a multi-lobed configuration. More specifically, in this embodiment, the balloon 504A is shaped to include two individual balloon lobes, i.e., a first balloon lobe 504L1, and a second balloon lobe 504L2. Each of the balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 can be positioned adjacent to the treatment site 106 to break up the vascular lesions 106A at different precise locations within the treatment site 106. Additionally, the balloon 504A can include a balloon proximal end 504P and a balloon distal end 504D. As illustrated, in certain implementations, the balloon proximal end 504P can be coupled to the catheter shaft 510, and the balloon distal end 504D can be coupled to the guide shaft 518.

FIG. 5B is a simplified cutaway view of the heart valve 108, including the valve wall 108A and the leaflets 108B, and the valvular lithoplasty balloon assembly 504 taken on line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. As shown, each of the two balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 of the balloon 504A can be positioned at different specific locations within the heart valve 108, i.e. adjacent to the valve wall 108A and/or between adjacent leaflets 108B within the heart valve 108. The balloon 504A is also illustrated as being positioned substantially adjacent to and substantially encircling the guide shaft 518, which provides the conduit through which the guidewire 512 extends, in this non-exclusive implementation. In some embodiments, the balloon assembly 504 can further include one or more steerable shafts (not shown) that are usable to assist in manipulating the balloon 504A and/or each of the balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 into the desired locations within the heart valve 108. Further, in certain embodiments, the catheter 502 and/or the balloon assembly 504 can also incorporate the use of an imaging channel (not shown) that is configured to enable real-time imaging of the treatment site 106 (illustrated in FIG. 5A) during positioning of the balloon assembly 504 as well as while the treatment therapy is applied.

Additionally, the balloon 504A can include a balloon wall 530 that defines a balloon interior 546, and that is configured to receive the balloon fluid 532 (illustrated in FIG. 5A) within the balloon interior 546. It is appreciated that with the balloon 504A including the multi-lobed design having a single balloon interior 546, each of the balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 will receive the balloon fluid 532 substantially contemporaneously. The balloon 504A, and, thus, each of the balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 can thus be selectively inflated with the balloon fluid 532 to expand from the deflated state to the inflated state (as shown in FIG. 5B).

Also illustrated in FIG. 5B is a plurality of energy guides 522A. A portion of each energy guide 522A, i.e., the guide distal end 522D, can be positioned in the balloon fluid 532 within the balloon interior 546 of one of the balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2, 504L3 such that each balloon lobe 504L1, 504L2 includes the guide distal end 522D of at least one energy guide 522A. More particularly, in this embodiment, the catheter system 500 includes two energy guides 522A, with the guide distal end 522D of each of the two energy guides 522A positioned in the balloon fluid 532 within the balloon interior 546 of a different balloon lobe 504L1, 504L2. In one non-exclusive embodiment, the guide distal end 522D of the two energy guides 522A can be substantially uniformly spaced apart from one another by approximately 180 degrees about the guide shaft 518. Alternatively, the catheter system 500 can include greater than three energy guides 522A provided that the guide distal end 522D of at least one energy guide 522A is positioned within each balloon lobe 504L1, 504L2.

The energy guides 522A are configured to guide energy from the energy source 124 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to induce plasma formation in the balloon fluid 532 within the balloon interior 546 of each balloon lobe 504L1, 504L2, e.g., via a plasma generator 533 located at or near the guide distal end 522D of the respective energy guide 522A. The plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation, and imparts pressure waves and/or fracture forces upon the treatment site 106. Such pressure waves and/or fracture forces are utilized to break apart the vascular lesions 106A (illustrated in FIG. 5A) at specific precise locations within the heart valve 108 at the treatment site 106. More particularly, by selectively positioning the balloon assembly 504 adjacent to the treatment site 106, the energy guides 522A in each balloon lobe 504L1, 504L2 can be applied to break up the calcified vascular lesions 106A in a different precise location at the treatment site 106.

As shown in FIG. 5B, it is appreciated that by using a balloon 504A including two individual balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 to impart pressure waves and/or fracture forces at specific locations within the heart valve 108, there is ample spacing 560 available between the contours of the balloon lobes 504L1, 504L2 and within the heart valve 108 to enable continued blood flow while the treatment therapy is being applied.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content and/or context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content or context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the phrase “configured” describes a system, apparatus, or other structure that is constructed or configured to perform a particular task or adopt a particular configuration. The phrase “configured” can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as arranged and configured, constructed and arranged, constructed, manufactured and arranged, and the like.

The headings used herein are provided for consistency with suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not be viewed to limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. As an example, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” or “Abstract” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims.

The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices. As such, aspects have been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope herein.

It is understood that although a number of different embodiments of the catheter systems have been illustrated and described herein, one or more features of any one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of one or more of the other embodiments, provided that such combination satisfies the intent of the present invention.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of the catheter systems have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope, and no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A catheter system for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient, the catheter system comprising: an energy source that generates energy; a balloon assembly including a plurality of balloons so that one of the balloons is positionable substantially adjacent to one of the treatment sites, each of the plurality of balloons having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that is configured to retain a balloon fluid; and a plurality of energy guides that are each configured to receive energy from the energy source, each of the energy guides being at least partially positioned within a corresponding balloon interior of a corresponding balloon so that upon one or more of the energy guides receiving the energy, a plasma is formed in the balloon interior of the corresponding balloon.
 2. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the heart valve includes a valve wall, and at least one of the plurality of balloons is positioned adjacent to the valve wall.
 3. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the heart valve includes a plurality of leaflets, and at least one of the plurality of balloons is positioned adjacent to at least one of the plurality of leaflets.
 4. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of balloons is inflatable with the balloon fluid to expand to an inflated state, and wherein when the balloon is in the inflated state the balloon wall is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to one of the treatment sites.
 5. The catheter system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of plasma generators, with each of the plasma generators being positioned near a guide distal end of a corresponding energy guide, each plasma generator being configured to generate plasma in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloons.
 6. The catheter system of claim 5 wherein the guide distal end of at least one of the plurality of energy guides is positioned within the balloon interior of one of the plurality of balloons approximately at a midpoint of the heart valve.
 7. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the plasma formation causes rapid bubble formation and imparts pressure waves upon the balloon wall of each of the balloons adjacent to one of the treatment sites.
 8. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the energy source generates pulses of energy that are guided along each of the plurality of energy guides into the balloon interior of each balloon to induce plasma formation in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior of each of the balloons.
 9. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the energy source is a laser that provides pulses of light energy.
 10. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of energy guides includes an optical fiber.
 11. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the energy source is a high voltage energy source that provides pulses of high voltage.
 12. The catheter system of claim 11 wherein at least one of the plurality of energy guides includes an electrode pair including spaced apart electrodes that extend into the balloon interior; and wherein pulses of high voltage from the energy source are applied to the electrodes and form an electrical arc across the electrodes.
 13. The catheter system of claim 1 further comprising a catheter shaft, and wherein a balloon proximal end of each of the plurality of balloons is coupled to the catheter shaft.
 14. The catheter system of claim 13 further comprising (i) a guide shaft that is positioned at least partially within the catheter shaft, the guide shaft defining a guidewire lumen, and (ii) a guidewire that is positioned to extend through the guidewire lumen, the guidewire being configured to guide movement of the balloon assembly so that each of the plurality of balloons is positioned substantially adjacent to at least one of the treatment sites.
 15. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein the balloon assembly includes three balloons.
 16. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of balloons is independently steerable to be positioned substantially adjacent to one of the treatment sites.
 17. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of balloons is formed from a braided nitinol material.
 18. The catheter system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of balloons includes a drug-eluting coating.
 19. A catheter system for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient, the catheter system comprising: a laser that generates pulses of light energy; a balloon assembly including three balloons so that at least one of the balloons is positionable substantially adjacent to one of the treatment sites, each of the balloons having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that is configured to retain a balloon fluid, each of the balloons being independently steerable to be positioned substantially adjacent to one of the treatment sites; and a plurality of optical fibers that are each configured to receive light energy from the laser, each of the optical fibers being at least partially positioned within a corresponding balloon interior of a corresponding balloon so that upon one or more of the optical fibers receiving the light energy, a plasma is formed in the balloon interior of the corresponding balloon.
 20. A method for treating one or more treatment sites within or adjacent to a heart valve within a body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: generating energy with an energy source; receiving energy from the energy source with a plurality of energy guides; positioning a plurality of balloons substantially adjacent to one or more of the treatment sites, each of the plurality of balloons having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior, each of the plurality of balloons being configured to retain a balloon fluid within the balloon interior; and positioning at least one of the plurality of energy guides that receive the energy from the energy source within the balloon interior of each of the plurality of balloons so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior when one of the energy guides receives energy from the energy source. 